By Rashid Mhlanga
Our reporter, Rashid Mhlanga had the privilege of chatting with veteran broadcaster, producer and Khulumani FM station manager, Mariah Nombulelo Masoka. Here is their interview.
RM: Greetings ma`am and thank you for affording us the opportunity to get to know more about you.
MNM: I am equally grateful to be talking to you too Rashid.
RM: Who is Mariah Nombulelo Masoka?
MNM: Oh your first question though, I always struggle to answer that as the response to that is usually influenced by where I’m being asked the question lol….
Maria Nombulelo Masoka is that lady from Mbembesi eMarhawane in Mat North I was born and bred there. I’m a seasoned journalist with more than 2 decades in industry. My passion is on radio broadcasting and I’ve had the privilege of working on various levels of radio broadcasting covering a range of topics from politics to entertainment. Started my broadcasting career with National FM as one of its Pioneers under the leadership of one iron lady I’ve known Phathutshedza Manala who was our manager then. At some point I served ZBC News and Current Affairs before joining Khulumani FM as one of its pioneers again in 2018. So like I said outside all that I remain that girl from eMbembesi proud mom of 2, a girl and a boy. Because of my upbringing I would say yes I’m very cultured and God is always my source of strength.
RM: signs of being a broadcaster growing up
I don’t think so I never imagined myself on radio anywhere though I was a fan of radio listening to Kudzi ‘Mr. Cool’ Marudza on the then radio 3, and James Maridadi. And as a family we would listen to ‘izaziso zemfa’, ‘Kwaziso/ Ukubingelelana’ and stuff and I remember one day a relative of ours had written to the program, ukubingelelana and we were greeted there so I really felt special and at some pointed I could imagine myself being the one greeting people on radio but I thought it was an opportunity for only the elite, if you know wat I mean. Besides, I was very quiet growing up so maybe that’s why I would think it's for others not me Proverbs 19 v 21 “There are many plans in a man's heart, Nevertheless the Lords counsel that will stand” (KJV). So, I had my plans and God had His and look this is where I am.
RM: Take us through the day that you auditioned at ZBC Pockets hill studios fresh from school.
MNM: All I can say is that mine has been through the ‘Hand of God’ all the way. Imagine I had just written my A level waiting for my results and was Mbembesi. It was just aft the first term in 2002 had started and I was preparing myself to join our local primary school as a temporary teacher, then a relative of ours heard an advert on radio that on that Saturday there will be auditions for radio presenter in various languages, Xhosa included. It was mid-week and the auditions were to be held in the next two days. Upon hearing the advert, people encouraged me to take the opportunity I wasn’t sure if I should take it up because in as much as I loved radio, I never thought I would make the cut for I had just completed ‘A Level’, waiting for my results. Also remember my class is waiting for their new teacher in a couple of weeks’ time.
My mom had to run around and borrow money for me to go and catch train that very evening, boom I went. Got there on a Friday then had to go Mbare studios for more details on the auditions. Got all the directions to Pockets hill studios then headed there the following morning.
There where hundreds of people who had come for the auditions for Xhosa language only we were more than 40 and I was the youngest my other team or language mates where confident with a background of some diplomas, certificates and degrees on various qualifications and I had none, only had my O level at the time and my birth certificate. At some point I was I thought I should just quit this as o had already out measured myself.
My turn came I got in there in the studio remember it was my first time to see the studio set up live. So was given the instruction to follow after the green Oops that I was shacking couldn’t do as instructed. I remember the then Executive Producer Elias Mange coming through to my booth to explain himself again. Guess what, after all that I again made some mistakes didn’t take the instruction right. He then came again and said my daughter relax and do this thing you can do it this is your last chance please give it your best shot. He said take your few minutes to relax while the Technical Operator Kenny Madzingaire was queuing up his machines. At that moment I said to myself God help me to do this, so this time I was bit relaxed took my instructions right and I did it. On my way out they told me if you made it you will get a call from us by Monday.
Me knowing what I did there I was like naaaa that is not mine and, besides there is no stress my class is waiting for me back home. The following day while preparing to catch up my next train back to Bulawayo, I got a call saying congratulations you one of the shortlisted, I couldn’t believe it I tell you.
RM: Tell us about feeling of nailing the auditions
MNM: I was really thankful to God for the strength of making it through. That made me appreciate how faithful He is to His words when he says I will take you from nothing to something by Grace.
RM: how do you deal with disappointments?
MNM: (Smiles) Oh I would describe myself as a solo fighter. By the way I’m the only girl in a family of 5 guys so generally I’m used to fighting my own battles of course my has always been there to give me a shoulder but like you would know at times some of the battles and disappointments you will have to fight on your own mainly because of not wanting to stress her. So, I used to be this person who keeps to herself and cry it out if I have to and trusting God for a better and sweeter ending to what I will be going through.
So I’m this person who always tries to make sure that the lemons that life throws to me I take them and take lemonade out of those.
RM: You have had quite a journey in broadcasting.
MNM: In as much as it has all been God driven like mentioned before, my journey to my career growth was never a walk in the park. There were so many curves on my career path. At some point I left and crossed over to many SA in search of opportunities and even there it was not that easy until I had to find myself back again where I started from lol maybe this can be a topic of another day but it was so because God had His plans ready always.
RM: How did the appointment as the Khulumani FM station manager came about?
MNM: Again that was another testimony of the Hand of God on me. He says in the book of Jeremiah, I knew while on your mother’s womb and anointed you, so again because my time was about to come my God did it for me, He moved people around, some got promoted to other levels and, some left for other greener pasture to create a space for me. But remember such favours comes with hard work and commitment to all that you do. So I think my management had to recognize my efforts and hard by considering me for the position of the Acting Manager Khulumani FM in September 2023, and subsequently becoming manager in December of the same year. By the way besides the experience acquired over the years I now had a diploma in Public Relations and a Degree in Media studies. So, on this one, my word of advice to my fellow journalist especially the young ones, there is no bad luck when it comes to work, as long as you put the best of yourself on whatever that you do surely that cannot go unnoticed forever, there is someone out there who is watching it will definitely pay off just keep on with your right works, and of course prepare yourself for that.
RM: How has your experience as a television news presenter been like?
MNM: Having joined ZBC as radio Producer/ Presenter has crisscrossed department on both radio and television. I also Produce and Present Xhosa news bulletin that airs on Fridays at 1615hrs (C.A.T). As for presenting news, somehow it was meant to cross my path because as young girl I would read Xhosa Bible in church and I would nail it, remember we never had an opportunity to learn this language at school, it`s only few years back where Xhosa was now being taught as an official language in Zimbabwe. I’m one person who is very proud of her culture. I’ve participated on a number of programmes in promotion of Xhosa language in Zim and I’m one of those who translated our constitution from English to IsiXhosa. Besides my dad would buy a copy of parade every month end and I would read it for him.
RM: Kindly share your thoughts on leading team Khulumani FM
MNM: I’m really honoured to be at the helm of the station that I’ve been part of since its inception. I lead a very vibrant and a supportive team which makes it easy for the station to grow. It is a team you young talented, capable and strong Producer/Presenter and our motto always is ‘When we win, we win together and when we fail we fail together!’ So everyone is compelled to pull to His or her best always.
RM: What is your favourite tourist destination?
MNM: Oh I love water, because we are a land locked country we don’t have many beaches around, Binga because of its natural beaches will remain my best go to area.
RM: Who are your number one supporters?
MNM: My number one supporters are my children. They complete my world. They give me strength to push on no matter. Every day, I pray for them and their peers to be protected from the evils of this world
RM: You are a proud Xhosa, what is the importance of your native culture in your life.
MNM: Oh yeah, because I did not choose to one but I’m one I’m really proud to be a Xhosa lady. You know I love Xhosa, remember I managed to best some intellectuals on my fist auditions because of my Xhosa proficiency. Being Xhosa is my beautiful identity that I am so proud of. It’s my first language, everything comes in Xhosa before translated into any. I’m really proud of who I am and thank you to the community that said me up, ‘bantu baseMbembesi ndiyabulela kakhulu’.
RM: What would you like to say to a young girl out there is desires to pursue your career path?
MNM: Your mindset is your own limitation. It`s okay to be fearful and a bit timid but dreams require boldness, courage, determination and energy! Do not be intimidated by your background or past mistakes but choose to keep your eyes on the on the prize. You have what it takes.
RM: Thank you for creating time for us to chat. All the best in your career and future endeavours.
MNM: Much appreciated Rashid!
